Satwik-Chirag's 2023: A year of unprecedented highs for Indian badminton

 

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty showcasing their skills at the 2023 BWF World Championships in Copenhagen.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty concluded their remarkable 2023 season with an unexpected conclusion—a defeat in the final. This marked their first final loss since October 2019, putting an end to an impressive streak of eight consecutive final victories, five of which were achieved this year. The extraordinary record met its conclusion in a thrilling China Masters 750 final, where the top-seeded pair displayed resilience by saving six consecutive match points out of seven, only to succumb to the world No. 1 Chinese duo of Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang in a closely contested match with a scoreline of 21-19, 18-21, 21-19. The defeat came down to margins as narrow as they can get.

Securing a rare second-place finish marked the conclusion of a remarkable season for Satwik and Chirag, one that witnessed unprecedented achievements in Indian badminton: clinching an Asian Games gold, a Super 1000 title, and attaining the coveted World No. 1 rank. Alongside these milestones, they added six titles, achieved a career-best ranking, and fulfilled a long-awaited 'revenge.'

Reflecting on their stellar year, Satwik expressed, "[2023 was a] fantastic year for us, whatever we thought we wanted to do, we achieved those goals. When we started 2023, we wanted to win a medal at the Asian Games and be in the top 2 or 3 in the world. So really happy with that," as he shared with BWF in the mixed zone following the final.

The Asian Games gold marked India's inaugural badminton gold at the Asiad, propelling them to the pinnacle of world rankings. Chirag emphasized, "The Asian Games win was the most important title of the year, by far. First Super 1000, and the Asian Championships as well as becoming No 1 was important too but definitely, the Asian Games doubles gold and silver in the team event stands out."

Choosing the standout achievement among these remarkable records presented a challenging decision for the duo. However, despite their exceptional accomplishments, Satwik and Chirag missed the cut for the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals, where the top 8 of the current year vie for the ultimate title of the year.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty standing on the winners' podium following their victory in the Indonesia Open Super 1000 championship.

Reflecting on a season that reached new heights, surpassing the already impressive foundation laid in 2022, where they earned recognition as ESPN India's Male Athletes of the Year, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty faced a conclusion outside the Top 10 annually. To comprehend their season's accomplishments, it's essential to shift the focus from their position in the World Tour rankings to how they ascended to the world No. 1 rank and concluded the year as world No. 2 despite initial setbacks and sporadic performances.

Despite clinching six titles, the duo didn't secure a place among the top 8 pairs with the highest points at the end of the year. This discrepancy can be attributed to a combination of factors, including injuries, inconsistent starts, and the overall dynamics of men's doubles. Having participated in only 14 tournaments on the BWF Tour, their results, including retirements, were factored into the race to the BWF World Tour Finals, which considers the best 14 tournaments.

The season began with injury setbacks, leading to a walkover at the Indian Open in January and a missed February. Despite finding their rhythm and winning the Swiss Open Super 300, they withdrew mid-match at the Madrid Masters in March. Notably, the gold at the Badminton Asia Championships in April and the Asian Games in October, both significant achievements, did not contribute to BWF points.

Navigating the fiercely competitive and unpredictable landscape of men's doubles, the duo faced challenges that extend beyond the numerical representation in BWF World Tour points, highlighting the nuanced nature of their season.

What stood out as the key highlights in Satwik and Chirag's journey throughout 2023?

In April, Satwik and Chirag achieved a historic feat by becoming the first Indian men's doubles pair to secure gold at the Badminton Asia Championships, making them only the second Indian gold medallists in the tournament's 58-year history.

In June, they clinched the Indonesia Open Super 1000 title, marking the highest tier of success on the BWF World Tour. Notably, this victory was their first at the Super 1000 level, and it became even more significant as they defeated longstanding rivals Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in the final, a pair that had an unbeaten record of 8-0 against them. This triumph followed a challenging period, including early exits in three consecutive tournaments after a return from injury.

July witnessed another triumph as they secured the Korea Open Super 500 title, achieving back-to-back victories with a one-month gap between the two. In the final, they defeated the then-world No. 1 pair of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto.

In October, they made history by winning India's first-ever badminton gold at the Asian Games, showcasing remarkable ease and inevitability in their performance. This accomplishment came just a week after overcoming the same Chinese men's doubles pair they had lost to in the final, during the men's team final. Following these victories, they attained the status of the world's No. 1 men's doubles pair. Each of these titles held significant importance for both the athletes and Indian badminton.

Aged 23 and 26, Satwik and Chirag are still in the early stages of their careers, and their upward trajectory has set the stage for greater achievements and expectations. Over the past year, their partnership has flourished under the guidance of doubles coach Mathias Boe, with the added presence of a more consistent P. Gopichand in the coaching role. Notably, their defensive skills, ability to transition between roles on the court, and resilience have shown substantial growth since the conclusion of 2022.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured India's inaugural badminton gold at the Asian Games.

Entering the off-season, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty face key areas for improvement as they gear up for the anticipated 2024 season, with consistency topping the list.

While securing five titles in 2023 showcased their prowess, the flip side revealed four first-round exits, four second-round exits (including retirements), one quarterfinal, one semifinal, and their most recent final appearance, adding up to three titles in total.

Despite their proficiency in significant matches, the format of the BWF World Tour demands sustained brilliance week after week for consistency. Although the BWF World Tour Finals may not be a primary goal, given the upcoming Paris Olympics, achieving regular mid-to-end week runs on the circuit becomes a crucial metric of success. Satwik expressed their focus on rectifying mistakes, managing workload, and playing strategically in the face of numerous upcoming tournaments.

With an eye on the Paris Olympics as the ultimate goal, Satwik and Chirag's continuous improvement in skill and temperament over the past two seasons positions them as a noteworthy force in Indian badminton and garners attention from doubles players globally. Their friendly yet potent motivation for 'revenge' against competitors like Wang and Liang is exemplified by their success against the Malaysian pair this year.

Throughout the years, one constant remains—the duo thrives under the spotlight, setting the stage for heightened anticipation in the badminton world.